Why leaders don’t have to yell: Appiah explains in new book

Former Black Stars coach, James Kwasi Appiah, is expected to share interesting stories about his life to a distinguished audience of active and retired sports stars, sports administrators, business leaders and some politicians tomorrow evening at the Swiss Spirit Alisa Hotel in Accra as he launches his biography.

In the 400-page memoir co-authored by Kyei Amoako, a US-based marketing and communications practitioner, Appiah seeks to walk readers through momentous times of his life as a footballer and later as a coach, sharing his thoughts on a wide range of topics, including his choice as Ghana’s all-time best players, among other things.

Entitled “Leaders Don’t Have to Yell”, the book also seeks to provide an explanation for Appiah’s unusual calm demeanour as a coach — a far cry from the typical animated disposition of elite coaches on the touchline — and give meaning to some of his decisions and actions during his days as captain of the Black Stars and also technical head of the team.

Beyond football, 59-year-old Appiah has other business interests in real estate and the hospitality industry and shares his thoughts on making money and wise investment for sports stars.

Journey through career

Coach Appiah is expected to offer his account of key events during his career as a player and as a coach, share his thoughts on Ghana’s all-time best players, making money and investing wisely and the future of Ghana football.

For Appiah, this is not a typical book about football but rather one on leadership and what inspired the decisions he took and useful lessons for people in decision-making.

In an excerpt of the book’s introduction, Appiah explained his decision to write the book and the expected lessons from it.

“In most of my public and private life, I have been a man of few words. Even when I have strong opinions on a matter, I have often preferred to share them when I found it absolutely necessary to speak out publicly. That approach has worked well for me in my private and public life.

“I realise that very few people have had the opportunity to walk the path that my life has taken. Very few people have risen to the position of responsibility that my professional life has provided me. As a result, I have seen things that only a few people have seen. I have had experiences that only a few people have had and I have perspectives that only a few people have.”

“Until now, the stories about the things I have seen, the experiences I have had and my perspectives on issues have been shared with only a relatively small group of people. So, as I thought about what purpose a book from me would serve, I became convinced that the time to commit my experiences and ideas into writing was now,” explained Appiah in an excerpt of the book’s introduction.

Motivation

“My greatest motivation whenever I take on any task as a coach and as a leader has always been to make Ghana and Africa proud. And in my line of work, I have experienced “the good, the bad and the ugly” of Ghana football.

I have learned from my victories and my defeats. I have learned insecure times and in uncertain times. I have learned from the praise and the appreciation, and I have also learned from the resistance and the criticisms. Above all, I have learned how to live and work with people and how to lead people gracefully through normal and difficult times,” he added.

The book was earlier launched in Kumasi last Friday at Royal Lamerta Hotel, followed by the Sunyani launch two days ago at the Eusbett Hotel.